Piezoelectric Actuator Inductor-Linked Vibrators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current piezoelectric actuators face challenges in reducing power consumption and achieving high output, with existing methods either increasing system failure risk due to high current consumption or requiring costly individual driving circuits and large, stiff support fixtures that lead to vibration energy leakage.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a pair of piezoelectric vibrators with the same layout and electrodes connected via an inductor, allowing for resonance and phase opposition to minimize power consumption and reduce vibration energy leakage, while maintaining stability across temperature changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple piezoelectric actuators are driven simultaneously, then system functionality is improved, but current consumption increases and system failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcurrent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent connects the second electrodes of multiple piezoelectric elements through a common inductor, merging their electrical circuits. This allows the piezoelectric elements to share the inductor's energy storage capacity, reducing the total current consumption while maintaining the functionality of driving multiple actuators simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Force

If frequency sweeping is applied to each piezoelectric element individually, then peak current is decreased, but power consumption is not reduced and circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak currentVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the driving circuits of multiple piezoelectric elements by connecting their second electrodes through a common inductor. This unified circuit approach reduces power consumption compared to individual driving circuits, while still achieving peak current reduction through the natural frequency sweeping effect of the resonant circuit formed by the inductor and piezoelectric elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of energy

If a large and stiff fixed portion is used, then vibration energy leakage is suppressed, but device size and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration energy leakageVSAvoidfixed portion size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration resonance by forming a resonant circuit with the inductor and piezoelectric elements. This resonance effect suppresses vibration energy leakage to the fixed portion without requiring a large and stiff support structure, thereby reducing device size while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the system by introducing an inductor into the circuit, transforming the problem of mechanical energy leakage into an electrical resonance problem. This parameter change allows suppression of vibration energy leakage through electrical circuit design rather than mechanical structure enlargement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces power consumption and enhances mechanical work output while simplifying the structure and reducing the size and cost of the support fixtures, achieving stable and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

appropriate setting of the inductance of the inductor L1 can cause resonance between the first piezoelectric vibrator 11 and the second piezoelectric vibrator 12

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

first piezoelectric elements that are provided on the first diaphragm and include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material layer held by the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10256749B2Piezoelectric actuator, motor, robot, and method of driving piezoelectric actuator

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

The invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator including: a first piezoelectric vibrator including a first diaphragm and first piezoelectric elements that are provided on the first diaphragm and include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material layer held by the first electrode and the second electrode; a second piezoelectric vibrator including a second diaphragm and second piezoelectric elements that are provided on the second diaphragm and include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material layer held by the first electrode and the second electrode; and an inductor. The layout of the first piezoelectric vibrator in the first diaphragm is the same as the layout of the second piezoelectric vibrator in the second diaphragm. The positions of the first piezoelectric elements on the first diaphragm correspond to the positions of the second piezoelectric elements on the second diaphragm. The second electrode of the first piezoelectric elements corresponds to the second electrode of the second piezoelectric elements. The corresponding second electrodes are connected via the inductor.